Top 10 Sitcom Moments We Think About at 2AM

Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-)

Anyone whos ever even heard of this FX sitcom knows its largely about scammers and hooligans. Its characters hang out at a grubby pub and plot get rich quick schemes and general tomfoolery. But the season 13 finale sees Mac coming out to his father in an explosive and profoundly artistic way. He does a well-staged and polished interpretive dance for him at the prison where hes incarcerated. Daddy issues, performance art, and deep feelings are not things you might associate with a show like Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Whether thats a good or bad thing depends on the fan. Theres still debate about Macs dance, which first aired in 2018, and its definitely a moment we wont soon forget.

How I Met Your Mother (2005-14)

There were few ways this series could have ended that would have pleased fans. Unfortunately, Ted and Robins delayed happily ever after was probably one of the worst possible endings. There are several reasons for tha, one being that it just makes you question the whole framing device of the series. Teds kids have heard a lot of crazy things just to hear that their mom barely factors into this story. But the fact this is where it all leads just makes Ted Mosbys retelling of the story of how he met their mother all the more confusing and pointless. Why did this take so long? What did we do it for? Are we just impossible to please? Maybe its time for a rewatch.

Dinosaurs (1991-94)

A sleepless night might make you think about things like life, death, and the end of the world. So will the Dinosaurs series finale. The Jim Henson series features wacky characters with trademark catchphrases who get into low-stakes hijinks that wrap up in a half hour. But in the finale, the stakes have never been higher. A chain of events caused by corporate greed and family patriarch Earl Sneed Sinclair leads to the actual extinction of the dinosaurs. The series literally ends with the family realizing theyre going to die as the world enters an inhospitable ice age. It was a warning to its young audience, meant to stick with them, for better or worse.

Friends (1994-2004)

A misunderstanding sees Monica walking in on her husband, Chandler, in a compromising position. Because he changed the channel from something a bit more adult to a shark documentary, Monica, of course, starts to believe he has a preference for shark documentaries. Sure, couples have secrets. But the fact that this is something that never came up, and Monica is totally willing to get on board with it is a head-scratcher. Is Monicas willingness to go along with it kind of sweet and more proof of how right they are for each other, or is it kind of insane and disturbing? Well be thinking about that one for a while.

Boy Meets World (1993-2000)

In season 4, Cory Matthews best friend Shawn becomes involved with a cult called the Centre. Hes brought out of it when his beloved teacher, Mr. Turner, is nearly killed in a motorcycle accident. By the teachers bedside, Shawn renounces the cult and asks God not to take one of his favorite people away from him. But Boy Meets World fans know this is actually the last time Mr. Turner will ever appear on the show. He was written out without explanation, even though he seemed to be getting better. Considering Turners recovery seems to be the only thing keeping him from going back to the Centre, it seems crazy that he just disappears without explanation.

Full House (1987-95)

Stephanie Tanner finds out her tormentor Charles is actually living in fear of his fathers anger. All of a sudden, she realizes hes in trouble, and shes the only person who knows. The sudden switch in tone was not new for the show, but it was effective. But also, theres something about this particular scene. For people of a certain generation, TV was where we were exposed to a lot of different big social issues. This classic episode of Full House may have been the first time many of us found out about what other children might be going through at home. If theres one Full House moment that sticks with you, its this one.

Saved by the Bell (1989-93)

No 90s kid could avoid this show. Nostalgia aside, Saved by the Bell is an interesting cultural artifact. Many of its very special episodes dont really hit anymore, if they ever did. But this unforgettable scene where Jessie Spano discovers caffeine pills and overdoes it is a prime example of that. There are people who swear its as hard-hitting as any serious drama. Then there are those who find it funny. It works either way. Elizabeth Berkley screaming the words Im so excited, Im so scared is the kind of sound that haunts your dreams for decades.

Veep (2012-19)

Selina Meyer never had morals. She was only interested in being president, and for a few seasons, most of the humor on Veep was in watching her grasp for political power and failing miserably. But the last season, while still hilarious, does end with her becoming president. To achieve this, she gives up everyone, including her most loyal friend, Gary, framing him for a fraud scheme that she was implicated in. But when she finally gets to the Oval Office, none of the familiar faces are around her. She calls for Gary, but realizes hes not there. No one is. It says just as much as any serious political drama about the emptiness and loneliness of seeking power.

The Good Place (2016-20)


Anyone who followed this philosophical comedy grew attached to the unexpected relationship that blossomed between rule-breaker Eleanor and anxious, morality-police Chidi. Over the course of the series four seasons, the two continued to find each other again and again, letting their love develop despite the other-worldly circumstances and challenges of the afterlife. But by the shows end, the two had to make peace with the true end of their conscious lives. The poignant scene between them is heartwrenching to watch we dont want to see them say goodbye! Plus, Chidis thoughtful explanation of death is impossible not to ruminate on long after you hear it. Were crying all over again.

Roseanne (1988-97; 2018)

No one was thrilled by the last season of the original series, but Roseanne Barr took things a little too far with the finale. She and the writers erased the whole ninth season by explaining it away as part of Roseannes fictional novel. Even worse, they undid relationships and storylines wed watched grow over the eight seasons that preceded. This creates such a ripple effect in the whole thing that theres no way it can be true, or the timeline is a complete, unsalvageable mess. The revival did the smart thing and retconned the retcon. But still, its the kind of thing thats just too bizarre once you know it was even a thing.

What sitcom moment do you obsess about when you should be asleep? Tell us in the comments.